Archive Puzzle

24-03-2015

Archive Puzzle

23-03-2015

Archive Puzzle

How to Play Giant Crossword

Solve the crossword clues and fill in the answers on the grid.

Use the mouse to click on a square in the grid. The square you select is highlighted in pink, the word-space is highlighted in yellow and the corresponding clue is highlighted in the ‘Clues’ column on the right. Click again to change the direction of the word-space from ACROSS to DOWN (or back again).

Or, use the mouse to click on any clue in the ‘Clues’ column on the right. This will highlight both the clue (in the column on the right) and the word-space in the crossword.

Solve the clue and type in the answer. If you are correct, the word-space will be highlighted in blue. When you have finished typing in an answer, use the Space Bar to move to the next clue.

Deleting or changing lettersClick on the letter then use the Backspace key. Or click on the letter and just type another one over it. Once you have typed in the correct letter, it cannot be changed.

Moving about the CrosswordUse the Space Bar or Arrow keys to move around the crossword. If you were in an ACROSS word-space on the crossword, the Space Bar will move you to the next word going ACROSS. If you were in a DOWN word-space, it will move you to the next word going DOWN.

Game Features

HintsClick on a word-space in the crossword to select it. Then click on 'Use a Hint' and the word will be filled in for you

YouPlay Premium Members receive 9 hints

YouPlay Members receive 9 hints

About Giant Crossword

The distinctive black and white grid of a crossword is instantly recognised all over the world, so it seems surprising that the puzzle actually has such a short history. In fact the first crosswords only appeared in England during the 19th century. America can claim the first published crossword puzzle, created by journalist Arthur Wynne, for the New York World in 1913.

The appeal of those first crosswords spread quickly, and within a decade the puzzles were featured in almost all American newspapers. Publications in Europe and the rest of the world were quick to adopt the trend, making the crossword the most prolific and popular style of world puzzle on the planet. It is estimated that today, over 30 million people solve a daily crossword in the US alone!

In recent times, modern computer software has heralded major advances in crossword development, allowing anyone with the right program to construct a puzzle, themed to their own specifications.

Dedicated fans have not been shy in expressing their love for the crossword. Songs written include 'Cross Word Puzzle Blues' and 'Since Ma’s Gone Crazy over Crossword Puzzles'. Films, paintings, books and similar creative pursuits have all been inspired by the art of the crossword.

Tournaments and other competitions have sprung up around the world. In London, the inaugural Times Crossword Championship took place in 1970, attracting 20 000 entries. In America, the first Annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament took place in 1978 in Stamford, Connecticut. The film Wordplay (2006) documents this competition, focusing on a fascinating group of elite contestants. It also introduces Will Shortz, the infamous Puzzles Editor for The New York Times, and the only person in history to hold a college degree in enigmatology (the study of puzzles).

In 1982, Robert Turcot of Quebec, Canada created the largest crossword ever constructed. It featured 12,489 clues across and 13,125 down with 82,951 squares to complete on the grid.

Scientific studies have recently shown that the focused mental activity used to solve puzzles can help prevent memory loss and degenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s – another reason to get your daily dose of puzzling fun!

The crosswords featured on YouPlay are presented by Lovatts Publications, leaders in the puzzle industry for over 25 years. Known and loved for the care put into every puzzle by dedicated, specialist compilers, Lovatts crosswords provide hours of quality entertainment.

With an enormous 27 x 27 grid, the YouPlay Giant Crossword provides a super-sized challenge. Clues cover a broad range of topics like sport, history, geography, language and popular entertainment. Suitable for intermediate to advanced players, this crossword is updated daily.